Ross Young claims 2009 Sandover Medal
PERTH midfielder and former Carlton player Ross Young was crowned 2009 Sandover Medallist at Perth Exhibition Convention Centre's Bellevue Ballroom last night, Monday, Septmeber 14.
Young, who averaged 31 possessions and kicked 15 goals this season, went into the Sandover Medal count as favourite and won with a total of 45 votes - two ahead of West Perth's Jason Salecic on 43. Claremont's Luke Blackwell finished third with 34 votes.
Young, 26, had a brilliant season with the Demons, collecting over 30 possessions in 14 of his 20 games and rarely missing a target. He was also leading the Sandover Medal last year before breaking his collarbone in Round 15.
Originally from Victoria, Young played under-18s football for the Bendigo Pioneers and amateur football with the University Blues. He eventually made his way into the Northern Bullants side in the VFL in 2005 and gained a regular place in the Bullants' seniors in 2006.
Carlton selected Young as an AFL rookie with pick 35 in the 2006/07 AFL rookie draft and at 23 years of age, he was the first player selected under new rules stating older players could be rookie listed if they had never been through an AFL club system.
Young was elevated from the rookie list before Round 6 of that year as a replacement for Nick Stevens and made his debut against St Kilda but was delisted at the end of the 2007 season. He then moved to Western Australia to play with Perth. He is the cousin of Hawthorn's Clinton Young and his younger brother Seamus also plays with Ross at Perth.
LEADERBOARD
45 - Ross Young (Perth)
43 - Jason Salecic (West Perth)
34 - Luke Blackwell (Claremont)
30 - Josh Roberts (Swan Districts)
29 - Brendon Jones (Perth)
26 - Jaymie Graham (South Fremantle)
23 - Chad Fletcher (Subiaco)
23 - Shaun Hilderbrandt (Subiaco)
23 - Phillip Read (Subiaco)
